@article{gerras_young_roberts_waldman_salmon_gilger_2025, title={Uveitis and blindness in a closed herd of Equidae following leptospiral infection}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2297-1769"]}, DOI={10.3389/fvets.2024.1504990}, abstractNote={To describe the ocular findings, chronology of disease, and serum leptospiral titers in a group of horses, mules, and donkeys following an outbreak of leptospirosis. Fifty Equidae in central North Carolina had ophthalmic examinations and serum leptospiral microscopic agglutination test (MAT) titers performed every 3-6 months for 24 months followed by a final examination at 34 months. Throughout the nearly three-year study period, 17 horses (34%; 17/49 horses) developed signs of uveitis; 20 eyes (20/34; 58.8%) of these 17 horses were visual at the initial examination, but only four eyes (11.8%) remained visual at the final examination. Serum titers (serogroups Pomona and Bratislava) in horses with uveitis were significantly elevated compared to Equidae without uveitis (p < 0.02). In the 32 horses, donkeys, and mules that did not develop uveitis, a subgroup of 11 horses and one donkey had negative or low serum leptospiral titers (titers ≤1:800) while a second subgroup of 16 horses, three mules, and one donkey had high leptospiral titers (>1:800) but never developed uveitis. Water sources in the pasture were found to have high levels of leptospira. Approximately 1/3 of horses on a farm exposed to Leptospira developed uveitis and blindness. Serum titers to L. Pomona and L. Bratislava were significantly elevated in horses with uveitis. However, despite exposure, some horses, even with very high serum titers, never developed ocular disease. These data indicates that further research is warranted to investigate the genetic and immunological aspects of the pathogenesis and susceptibility of leptospiral-associated uveitis.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Gerras, J. and Young, K. and Roberts, D. and Waldman, G. and Salmon, J. H. and Gilger, B. C.}, year={2025}, month={Jan} }
 @article{roberts_thomas_salmon_cubeta_stapelmann_gilger_2024, title={Cold atmospheric plasma inactivates<i> Aspergillus</i><i> flavus</i> and Fusarium keratoplasticum biofilms and conidia in vitro}, volume={73}, ISSN={["1473-5644"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.001858}, DOI={10.1099/jmm.0.001858}, abstractNote={and}, number={7}, journal={JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY}, author={Roberts, Darby and Thomas, Jonathan and Salmon, Jacklyn and Cubeta, Marc A. and Stapelmann, Katharina and Gilger, Brian C.}, year={2024} }
 @article{roberts_gilger_2024, title={Current therapy and advancements in the treatment of equine fungal keratitis}, volume={262}, ISSN={["1943-569X"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.05.0337}, DOI={10.2460/javma.24.05.0337}, abstractNote={Abstract Equine fungal keratitis represents a substantial portion of keratitis cases in horses, with fungal involvement identified in approximately half of all infectious keratitis cases. Despite its prevalence, more comprehensive retrospective analyses are needed to better understand this condition. Outcomes vary, with approximately two-thirds of cases achieving complete healing with retained vision, although enucleation is often necessary. Predominant pathogens include Aspergillus and Fusarium , with yeast reported in a minority of cases. Resistance to common antifungal agents among filamentous fungi poses a significant challenge. Advances in diagnostics, including repeat culture and antifungal susceptibility testing, as well as the incorporation of PCR technology, hold promise for improving detection and guiding treatment decisions. Newer antifungals, combination therapies, and innovative modalities such as photodynamic therapy offer hope for improved outcomes. Continued research efforts are essential to further elucidate the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and optimal management strategies for this condition.}, journal={JAVMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION}, author={Roberts, Darby M. and Gilger, Brian C.}, year={2024}, month={Dec}, pages={S65–S73} }
 @article{nilles_roberts_salmon_song_o’dea_marjoram_bower_hirsch_gilger_2023, title={AAV-mediated expression of HLA-G for the prevention of experimental ocular graft vs. host disease}, volume={29}, ISSN={2329-0501}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.omtm.2023.03.012}, DOI={10.1016/j.omtm.2023.03.012}, abstractNote={Ocular graft versus host disease (OGvHD) develops after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and manifests as ocular surface inflammatory disease. This study evaluated the efficacy of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy encoding human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) to inhibit OGvHD. A major histocompatibility mismatch chronic OGvHD murine model was evaluated. 7 days after HSCT, mice were dosed subconjunctivally with scAAV8-HLA-G1/5 (1 x 109 vg/eye), topical cyclosporine (twice daily), or left untreated. Body weights and tear production (red thread test) were recorded, and eyelid, corneal opacity, and corneal fluorescein retention were scored through day 44 after HSCT. Tissues were collected for vector biodistribution, ocular histology, and immunofluorescence. Compared with untreated HSCT eyes, those dosed with scAAV8-HLA-G1/5 had significantly reduced clinical inflammatory signs of OGvHD. On histology, eyes that received scAAV8-HLA-G1/5 or cyclosporine had a significantly lower mean limbal mononuclear cell count when compared with non-treated HSCT eyes. HLA-G immunofluorescence was detected in the subconjunctiva and peripheral cornea in HSCT animals treated with scAAV8-HLA-G1/5. Vector genomes were detected in the lacrimal gland, but not in the other tested organs. These results provide evidence that subconjunctival AAV targets ocular surface and corneal disease and support that HLA-G-based gene therapy may be an effective treatment for OGvHD. Ocular graft versus host disease (OGvHD) develops after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and manifests as ocular surface inflammatory disease. This study evaluated the efficacy of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy encoding human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) to inhibit OGvHD. A major histocompatibility mismatch chronic OGvHD murine model was evaluated. 7 days after HSCT, mice were dosed subconjunctivally with scAAV8-HLA-G1/5 (1 x 109 vg/eye), topical cyclosporine (twice daily), or left untreated. Body weights and tear production (red thread test) were recorded, and eyelid, corneal opacity, and corneal fluorescein retention were scored through day 44 after HSCT. Tissues were collected for vector biodistribution, ocular histology, and immunofluorescence. Compared with untreated HSCT eyes, those dosed with scAAV8-HLA-G1/5 had significantly reduced clinical inflammatory signs of OGvHD. On histology, eyes that received scAAV8-HLA-G1/5 or cyclosporine had a significantly lower mean limbal mononuclear cell count when compared with non-treated HSCT eyes. HLA-G immunofluorescence was detected in the subconjunctiva and peripheral cornea in HSCT animals treated with scAAV8-HLA-G1/5. Vector genomes were detected in the lacrimal gland, but not in the other tested organs. These results provide evidence that subconjunctival AAV targets ocular surface and corneal disease and support that HLA-G-based gene therapy may be an effective treatment for OGvHD.}, journal={Molecular Therapy - Methods & Clinical Development}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Nilles, Jacob P. and Roberts, Darby and Salmon, Jacklyn H. and Song, Liujiang and O’Dea, Carly and Marjoram, Lindsay T. and Bower, Jacquelyn J. and Hirsch, Matthew L. and Gilger, Brian C.}, year={2023}, month={Jun}, pages={227–235} }
 @article{roberts_salmon_cubeta_gilger_2023, title={Phase-Dependent Differential In Vitro and Ex Vivo Susceptibility of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium keratoplasticum to Azole Antifungals}, volume={9}, ISSN={2309-608X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jof9100966}, DOI={10.3390/jof9100966}, abstractNote={Fungal keratitis (FK) is an invasive infection of the cornea primarily associated with}, number={10}, journal={Journal of Fungi}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Roberts, Darby and Salmon, Jacklyn and Cubeta, Marc A. and Gilger, Brian C.}, year={2023}, month={Sep}, pages={966} }
 @unpublished{roberts_salmon_cubeta_gilger_2023, title={Phase-Dependent Differential In Vitro and Ex Vivo Susceptibility of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium keratoplasticum to Azole Antifungals}, url={https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202309.0403.v1}, DOI={10.20944/preprints202309.0403.v1}, abstractNote={Fungal keratitis (FK) is an invasive infection of the cornea primarily associated with Aspergillus and Fusarium species. FK is treated empirically with a limited selection of topical antifungals with varying levels of success. Though clinical infections are typically characterized by a dense network of mature mycelium, traditional models used to test antifungal susceptibility of FK isolates exclusively evaluate susceptibility in fungal cultures derived from asexual spores known as conidia. The purpose of this study was to characterize differences in fungal response when topical antifungal treatment is initiated at progressive phases of fungal development. We compared efficacy of voriconazole and luliconazole against in vitro cultures of A. flavus and F. keratoplasticum at 0, 24, and 48 h of fungal development. A porcine cadaver corneal model was used to compare antifungal efficacy of voriconazole and luliconazole in ex vivo tissue cultures of A. flavus and F. keratoplasticum at 0, 24, and 48 h of fungal development. Our results demonstrate phase-dependent susceptibility of both A. flavus and F. keratoplasticum to both azoles in vitro as well as ex vivo. We conclude that traditional antifungal susceptibility testing with conidial suspensions does not correlate with fungal susceptibility in cultures of a more advanced developmental phase. A revised method of antifungal susceptibility testing that evaluates hyphal susceptibility may better predict fungal response in the clinical setting where treatment is often delayed until days after the initial insult.}, author={Roberts, Darby and Salmon, Jacklyn and Cubeta, Marc A and Gilger, Brian C}, year={2023}, month={Sep} }
 @article{crabtree_uribe_smith_roberts_salmon_bower_song_bastola_hirsch_gilger_2022, title={Inhibition of experimental autoimmune uveitis by intravitreal AAV-Equine-IL10 gene therapy}, volume={17}, ISSN={["1932-6203"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270972}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0270972}, abstractNote={Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a spontaneous, painful, and vision threatening disease affecting up to 25% of equine populations worldwide. Current treatments of ERU are non-specific and have many side effects which limits them to short-term use. In order to develop an effective therapy for ERU, we investigated the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy, exploiting a natural immune tolerance mechanism induced by equine interleukin-10 (Equine-IL10). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a single intravitreal (IVT) dose of AAV8-Equine-IL10 gene therapy for inhibition of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in rats. Each rat was dosed intravitreally (IVT) in both eyes with either balanced salt solution (BSS) (control; n = 4), AAV8-Equine-IL10 at a low dose (2.4x10 9 vg; n = 5) or high dose (2.4x10 10 vg; n = 5). EAU was induced in all groups of rats 7 days after IVT injections and euthanized 21 days post-injection. Ophthalmic examination and aqueous humor (AH) cell counts were recorded with the observer blinded to the treatment groups. Histopathology and qPCR were performed on selected ocular tissues. Data presented herein demonstrate that AAV8-Equine-IL10 treated rats exhibited a significant decrease in clinical inflammatory scores and AH cell counts compared to BSS-treated EAU eyes on days 10, 12 and 14 post EAU induction at both administered vector doses. Mean cellular histologic infiltrative scores were also significantly less in AAV8-Equine-IL10 dosed rats compared to the BSS group. Intravitreal injection of AAV8-Equine-IL10 resulted in Equine-IL10 cDNA expression in the ciliary body, retina, cornea, and optic nerve in a dose-dependent manner. A single IVT injection of AAV8-Equine-IL10 appeared to be well-tolerated and inhibited EAU even at the lowest administered dose. These results demonstrate safety and efficacy of AAV8-Equine-IL10 to prevent EAU and support continued exploration of AAV gene therapy for the treatment of equine and perhaps human recurrent uveitis.}, number={8}, journal={PLOS ONE}, author={Crabtree, Elizabeth and Uribe, Katy and Smith, Sara M. and Roberts, Darby and Salmon, Jacklyn H. and Bower, Jacquelyn J. and Song, Liujiang and Bastola, Prabhakar and Hirsch, Matthew L. and Gilger, Brian C.}, editor={Taylor, Andrew W.Editor}, year={2022}, month={Aug} }
 @article{roberts_cotter_cubeta_gilger_2020, title={In vitro susceptibility of <i>Aspergillus</i> and <i>Fusarium</i> associated with equine keratitis to new antifungal drugs}, volume={23}, ISSN={1463-5216 1463-5224}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/vop.12774}, DOI={10.1111/vop.12774}, abstractNote={Abstract Objective To determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of four fungal species isolated from horses presented with equine fungal keratitis (EFK) in the southeastern United States to previously untested azole, echinocandin, and carboxamide antifungal drugs. Methods In vitro assays were performed to determine the susceptibility of Aspergillus flavus , A. fumigatus , Fusarium falciforme, and F. keratoplasticum to five antifungal drugs representing three modes of action. Results Luliconazole exhibited increased growth inhibition against both Aspergillus and Fusarium compared to commonly used, standard antifungal drugs. MIC values for luliconazole at 0.001‐0.002 µg/mL were at least 25‐fold lower than all other antifungal drugs tested, including voriconazole. Conclusions The increased antifungal activity of luliconazole observed in this study warrants further investigation for its potential as an antifungal drug for equine fungal keratitis.}, number={5}, journal={Veterinary Ophthalmology}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Roberts, Darby and Cotter, Henry Van T. and Cubeta, Marc and Gilger, Brian C.}, year={2020}, month={May}, pages={918–922} }